

Comment Info: =================

General Comment:Dear Mr. Zeller:

I am writing as an individual consumer to request an extension of the comment period for the Food and Drug Administration's ("FDA") Proposed Rule Deeming Tobacco Products to be Subject to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, as amended by the Family Smoking and Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (the "Proposed Rule") published at 79 Fed. Reg. 23,142 and Federal Register No. 2014-09491. On behalf of myself, I am requesting that the comment period for the Proposed Rule be extended by the FDA for an additional 105 days, from its current 75-day period, to 180 days.

Electronic cigarettes have become critical to my personal health. Prior to adopting e-cigarettes, I smoked 2-3 cigars and approximately 15 cigarettes per day. Despite trying a variety of methods to quit, including patches, gum and medication all supported by counseling, I was not successful in quitting smoking. However, with e-cigarettes I’ve been smoke free for over two years and have been “vaping” only nicotine free juice for over one year. The rich ecosystem of small business producing a wide variety of devices and liquids was critical to the success I’ve had and continue to have. I’ve been saved from fates both of my parents - COPD, cancer and early death.

The Proposed Rule raises numerous issues which I might want to respond to. I want to provide my thoughts and comments on many of these issues, but my time to devote to researching and providing thoughtful comments on these important questions is limited. I know that the FDA took many years to even come up with the Proposed Rule, so I do not think it is at all unreasonable to allow the public a mere six months to comment on it. This is our only opportunity, as consumers, to provide our feedback. 

I wish to provide you with my personal story, as well as science and evidence based responses to your questions so that you can take my comment into account. I realize that the FDA has the authority under 21 CFR 10.40 to extend this time frame and that the FDA has exercised this authority on numerous occasions in the past. I would therefore ask that you do so here, so that all stakeholders have the opportunity to provide their comments on this proposed regulation.

I appreciate your consideration of my request and am happy to discuss this issue with you further.

